The Electoral Commission (EC) has set 14th January 2021 as the date for elections of Directly elected Members of Parliament and District Women representatives, leaving out the date for the Presidential elections pending nominations.
The EC has also set campaigns for the category of Parliamentary elections to start on 9th November 2020 and end on 12th January 2021.
Earlier, Parliament had tasked the Attorney General to announce the specific dates whose absence was affecting aspirant’s campaign and election programs.
According to the parliamentary Elections act, the Electoral Commission is required to appoint by notice of gazette election dates immediately after nomination days, which should not be later than 45 days after nomination. However, the commission had scheduled elections to take place between January 10 and February 8, 2021.
According to the EC Chairman, Justice Byabakama, campaigns shall be conducted between 7.00 am and 6.00 pm; and in accordance with the harmonized candidates’ campaign programme. Candidates and their agents are urged not use or publish any language or defamatory words, which incite public disorder, hatred, violence or which threatens war.
1. Election of Councillors for Older Persons to the Sub
County/Town/Municipal Division
11th January 2021.
2. Elections of Councillors for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to the Sub County/Town/Municipal Division; 11th January 2021.
3. Elections of Youth Representatives to the Sub County/Town/Municipal Division; 11th January 2021.
4. Election of Councillors for Older Persons to the Municipality/City Division; 12th January 2021.
5. Elections of Councillors for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to the Municipality/City Division; 12th January 2021.
6. Elections of Councillors for Youth to the Municipality/City Division; 12th January 2021.
7. Elections of Member of Parliament (Directly-elected MP and District Woman Representative to Parliament); 14th January 2021.
8. National Conference for Election of Older Persons Representatives to Parliament; 17th –18th January 2021.
9. National Conference for Election of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) Representatives to Parliament; 17th –18th January 2021.
10. National Conference for Election of Workers Representatives to Parliament; 17th –18th January 2021.
11. Elections of District Local Government Councils: (District/City Chairpersons, Lord Mayor, Mayors, and Councillors); 20th January 2021.
12. National Conference for Election of National Female Youths
Representative to Parliament; 21st –22nd January 2021.
13. Elections of Municipality/City Division Chairpersons and Councillors; 25th January 2021.
14. Elections of Councillors for Older Persons to the District Local
Government Councils; 27th January 2021.
15. Elections of Councillors for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) to the District Local Government Councils; 27th January 2021.
16. Elections of Councillors for Youths to the District Local
Government Councils; 27th January 2021.
17. Elections of Workers Representatives to District Local
Government Councils; 27th January 2021.
18. Elections of UPDF Representatives to Parliament; 29th January 2021.
19. Regional Conferences for Election of Regional Youths Representatives to Parliament; 31st January– 1st February 2021.
20. Elections of Sub County/Town/Municipal Division Chairpersons and Councillors; February 3rd 2021.
Candidates will, however, be allowed to organise/hold campaign meetings, in a regulated manner, preferably outdoors, with limited attendance of a maximum of seventy (70) persons, to enable the observance of the 2-meters social distancing rule for the persons attending the meeting.
Previously, presidential and parliamentary elections were held on the same day, but the Electoral Commission decided to hold elections on separate days in the same timeframe because of the workload and issues of the costs.
Byabakama said the Electoral Commission has the discretion to hold elections on separate days and depending on the need and other prevailing factors.
